LCRA and wholesale electric customers award more than $504,000 in grants to local communities

The Lower Colorado River Authority and its wholesale electric customers recently awarded more than $504,000 in grants for community projects in the LCRA wholesale electric and water service area.

The grants helped fund almost two dozen community projects, including providing new firefighter breathing equipment, rescue boats, hydraulic stretchers and radios for first responders; new movable bleachers for the Goldthwaite football field and track; and park and community center upgrades.

“With each grant, we’re helping build stronger communities,” said Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager. “It’s our honor to give back and fund projects that might have otherwise been out of reach. When the communities we serve flourish and thrive, our entire region benefits.”

To date, LCRA and its wholesale electric customers have awarded 1,651 community grants totaling more than $43 million. When combined with over $223 million in community-raised matching funds, the program has invested almost $267 million in local communities.

Applications for the next round of Community Development Partnership Program grants are available atlcra.org/cdpp and are due by Jan. 31.

The 24 grants awarded in the most recent grant cycle are:

LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative awarded a $50,000 grant to the South Lee County Volunteer Fire Department for a new firetruck.

LCRA and Bandera Electric Cooperative awarded a $44,678 grant to the Utopia Volunteer Fire Department for new radios to help them communicate even in remote areas of the Hill Country.

LCRA awarded a $24,738 grant to the Bernardo Volunteer Fire Department for specialized breathing equipment firefighters use when responding to fires and other emergencies.

LCRA and Bluebonnet awarded a $25,000 grant to the Bleiblerville Volunteer Fire Department for a new fire engine to replace a 20-year-old unit that has become unreliable.

LCRA awarded a $25,000 grant to the City of La Grange for an ADA-compliant playscape, the only one of its kind in the Fayette County area.

LCRA and Bluebonnet awarded a $16,002 grant to the Ellinger Chamber of Commerce for community center improvements, including new air conditioning units, insulation and lighting.

LCRA and Bluebonnet awarded a $2,550 grant to the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce for energy-efficient LED lighting for the Fayetteville sign on Highway 71.

LCRA and Bluebonnet awarded an $18,500 grant to the Washington County EMS for a new swift-water rescue boat and accessories.

LCRA and Bluebonnet awarded a $16,000 grant to the McMahan Volunteer Fire Department for new personal protective equipment for firefighters.

LCRA and Bluebonnet awarded a $25,000 grant to the Delhi Community Center for building improvements.

LCRA and the City of Gonzales awarded a $7,108 grant to the Gonzales Volunteer Department for a new rescue boat.

LCRA and Bluebonnet awarded a $20,000 grant to the Martindale Volunteer Fire Department for new hydraulic extrication tools to help remove those injured or trapped after vehicle collisions.

LCRA and Bluebonnet awarded a $22,104 grant to the Prairie Lea Parent Teacher Organization for a new ADA-compliant play structure.

LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative awarded a $25,000 grant to the Blanco Volunteer Ambulance Corps for new hydraulic-assisted stretchers.

LCRA and Bandera awarded a $20,000 grant to the Concan Volunteer Fire Department for new handheld radios to replace outdated communications equipment.

LCRA and Bandera awarded a $16,348 grant to the Friends of the Library Association of Leakey to replace aging HVAC units at the Real County Public Library.

LCRA and Hamilton County Electric Cooperative awarded a $12,466 grant to the Shive Volunteer Fire Department for a new engine water tank.

LCRA and the City of Goldthwaite awarded an $18,935 grant to the Goldthwaite Consolidated Independent School District for new ADA-compliant, movable bleachers.

LCRA awarded a $1,945 grant to the Cherokee Independent School District to level the district’s football field.

LCRA and the City of Lampasas awarded a $25,000 grant to the Lampasas Volunteer Fire Department to replace outdated department radios.

LCRA and PEC awarded a $16,000 grant to the Volente Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of a gear cleaner for personal protective equipment.

LCRA and PEC awarded a $22,487 grant to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office to purchase new handheld radios.

LCRA and PEC awarded a $24,530 grant to the East Lake Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department for a hoist to support a new rescue boat.

LCRA and the City of Burnet awarded a $25,000 grant to Rotary International of Burnet for upgrades to Live Oak Park.

About LCRA ​The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering access to nature at more than 40 parks, recreation areas and river access sites along the Texas Colorado River, from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visitlcra.org.